Welcome to the Bytemarks Wiki

What is Bytemarks?

A brief history: Bytemarks started as a column in the Honolulu Advertisers back in Setpt. 1998. It appeared weekly and ran for 6 years ending in Aug. 2004. This is the last column:

Bytemarks #307 – August 10, 2004

It was six years ago when the Advertiser asked me to create a column about the Internet. At that time the Internet was a buzz and a whole new section was to be devoted to digital technologies. It was called Click! Back in 1998 Bytemarks helped usher in Click! by introducing readers to Internet trends that led to interesting websites. As we all know the last six years have been an incredible ride through both joyous and tumultuous times, from the tech industry exuberance to the incredible sadness of Sept. 11, 2001. I've been extremely fortunate and honored to share that experience with you. But as all rides must, this one will end in the Advertiser with this final column.

During the last six years I've learned a lot. I've tried through this column to share my experiences and to help personify cyberspace. The Internet can be viewed as a cold, detached place. Some critics claim that these characteristics create an environment of social isolation and deviant behavior. I suppose we humans, given any new tool will find ways to use it that run the entire spectrum of possibilities.

I've taken the view that the Internet is an incredible instrument to broaden one's horizon. It's an opportunity to build connections unlimited by geographic boundaries. It nudges us to get out into the world to explore. The Internet has made it possible for individuals like you and me to create a voice, in turn creating interaction and community.

Over the past six years I have shared my experience of the Internet with you. I want to take this opportunity to send out a big Mahalo to all of you that have read my column and have sent me emails. That connection we made means everything to me. And although this ride will end in the Advertiser, we can still maintain the connection as I will continue my path through life and the Internet. My email is bytemarks (at) gmail (dot) com and my website is www.bytemarks.org. You can find me blogging at bytemarks.blogspot.com, moblogging at www.flickr.com/photos/Bytemarks and on the radio at www.roughtake.com. You can also join the Bytemarks community at groups.yahoo.com/group/Bytemarks. So stay tuned and keep in touch as another Bytemarks chapter opens. ;-)

Bytemarks the community on Yahoogroup

At the time, online communities and social networking was in its early stages. There were online groups like Yahoo Groups, social networks like Ryze and Friendster. Bytemarks became a community (http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/bytemarks/) on Yahoogroups a small cadre of individuals I meet either through the column or in real space. It's grown to a little more than a hundred in 2007.

Bytemarks the blog on Blogger.com

Bytemarks also became a blog at bytemarks.blogspot.com, a random collection of thoughts and experiences. I try to post at least once a week. But have been found to be remise about owning up to that responsibility. The blog is a carry over from the days of writing a column for the Advertiser. The nice thing about a blog though is its flexibility to write as frequently as I want and not be confined to specific topics. I have full editorial control over what I decide to write about.

Bytemarks the Flickr photo site

Enter the inexpensive digital camera. Combined with wireless mobile technology, you could now maintain a mobile blog or moblog. Bytemarks became a personal photo journal of places and people I've met. There are many photo sites on the net. Buzznet was one I started with but transitioned to Flickr because of its ease of use and social networking aspects. The Bytemarks site on Flickr is at www.flickr.com/photos/bytemarks.

Bytemarks.org

In the short span of a few years, the social networking and online presence applications started to explode. I as I discovered new applications I needed a place to aggregate them into one place. Bytemarks.org became a place where I could feature a variety of applications with the intent on giving the visitor a glimpse of what I am doing in my world at that moment in time. Bytemarks.org continues to evolve as the Internet evolves.